Nosler Ballistic Tips For Whitetail Deer ?

[Fred McIntire]

I have a Thompson/Center Encore with a 15" barrel in 7mm-08 caliber. It will be used almost exclusively for Whitetail deer in Indiana. I purchased a box of Nosler 140 grain Ballistic Tips to handload for this pistol; however, after reading some postings here and on other sites, I am beginning to have some concerns about using the ballistic tips.

I was planning on going with 46 grains of IMR 4350.

My questions are as follows:
What primer should I use for this load?
Can someone calculate the ballistic data for me on this cartridge?
Is this bullet really going to do the job on Whitetail Deer?

Thanks,
Fred

[jackfish]

Where did you find a 64 grain IMR4350 load for 140 grain bullets in the 7mm-08?  50 grains is about all I would care to use.  Powders faster than IMR4350 work a bit better.
Any large rifle primer should do.  I'm partial to CCI 200 and WLR.
2800 fps from a 22" barrel is about as much as one can expect from 140 grain bullets in the 7mm-08.
That bullet should do just fine on whitetail out of your TC Encore, just put 'em where they belong.

[Fred McIntire]

You are correct ! It should be 46 grains. I am going to double check that web site. I think they have posted those numbers in reverse.

I have learned to let someone else look at my work before turning it in. It catches errors before they go KABOOM!

Thanks,
Fred

[SLAVAGE]

i was going to use my encore 7mm08 with 120s  for doe this year dont have any concern about shooting them at all

[onesonek]

While I hven't used them, a few of my buds do, and without problems. From what I have seen, BT's perform well at handgun velocities. Also I would use the 140 gr. for deeper penetration if needed. Don't worry it will open up, yet hold up better if you need to go through bone. I will be loading the 120 gr. , 6.5 cal. in the 260 Striker for my son this season. I tested 165's for the 30-40AI 15" Encore, but it like the 165 gr Scirocco's better.
Well , those are my thoughts :wink:
Dave

[James B]

The ballistic tip is about as good as it gets for handgun cartridges. I have used the 125 grain in the 30 caliber with good luck. I think I would load the 120 instead but the 140 should work well. Most people who run down the ballistic tips have not used them enough to know what they are talking about. I have used them in all calibers since the day they came out. The lighter bullets in each caliber up to 6.5 are intended for varmits. The heavier ones are meant for medium game such as deer and antelope. If I am reloading a Magnum cartridge with them, I keep them down to about 2700-2900 fps. This in 270-280-7Mag 308and 300 win Mag. They can be a bit fragil at speeds over 2900 fps if big bones are hit.

[freddogs]

I have used Nosler Bsallistic tips extensively with very good results. I have shot seversl whitetails and mulies with them as well as numerous antelope and they worked excellent for me. I use the 120 and 140 in my 7X30 waters. I shot 2 whitetails with the 140s last season. I use 150s in a 30.06 with a MV about 3000fps and they have worked fine. I've probably seen 20 animals shot with ballistic tips without any problem. In fact they worked better than other bullets, thats why I use them. :sniper:

[smokey66]

another thumbs up for the ballistic tip. i use the 165gr in my 300 win mag. i load them at near max. i have shot many deer with them and never any problems, they are also extremely accurate....

[contender hunter]

hey freddogs those 2 deer you got with the 7x30 waters using 140 gr. ballistic tips , what can you say about performance were they broadside lung shots, did they penetrate both sides etc. I'm using the waters in a 22'' TC carbine now and was a little concerned about my bullet selection of the 140 gr' BAL. TIP , but man are they accurate !! also what range wre they at .

[Duffy]

I use them in my 708 also and they stop the muleys around here just fine. With 46g with a WW case and WW primer you should be around 2500-2550 depending on where you seat them. I set mine for around a inch high at 100 and that'll cover all the range you'll encounter.

[kombi1976]

Has anyone used the 8mm Nosler BTs on deer? I'm about to start loading for a 8x57 Mauser that'll be my main deer rifle.

[varmit_master]

Hi have used Nosler BT on deer in my 22 250 55gr  270 130gr  308 150gr 7mm mag 140gr  300 win mag 150 300wby 125gr and now a new 25 06 i am going to use a 100gr on deer HAVE NEVER LOST A DEET YET! VM

[reallybigfoot]

They didn't group very well in my m48.  The 170 gr round nose group around one inch at 100yds.

Jerry